Sunday In Review

Today, the preaching moment during both morning services was simply remarkable. I preached a message from James chapter 2 verses 1-13, entitled "The Danger of Playing Favorites" and the Lord had His way. For the second time in a row, I was able to overcome my recent preaching slump.

The thrust of the message was designed to discourage the sin of partiality that seems to make its way into the congregation of the righteous.

Drawing conclusions about people solely on the basis of superficial standards is strictly prohibited by God and can prove disastrous to the unity of any congregation. We should never determine a person's value or usefulness based on age, appearance or affluence, but rather by their walk before God and man.

I began the message making reference to an excerpt from an old issue of the popular devotional, Our Daily Bread, dated March 6, 1994. It reads:

In His autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during His student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered becoming a Christian. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby Church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. However, when he entered the sanctuary, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the Church and never returned. He wrote, " If Christians have caste differences also, I might as well remain a Hindu."

I challenged the church to not allow the sin of respect of persons to defy our faith nor defame our fellowship so that it will not determine our future(judgment).

We ended our Sunday with an afternoon service featuring "The World Famous Barrett Sisters" along with a local singing group called "The Davis Trio." This concert is sponsored annually by our Student Aid Ministry of the church and proved to be a very rewarding encounter in praise to God.

The Cross Was His Own

While going through my folder marked "Sermon Notes & Illustrations," I was able to gain renewed perspective from a poem I read and placed in my archives some time ago entitled " The Cross Was His Own".

In an age where oftentimes everything is preached instead of Christ and His finished work at Calvary, it pays to be reminded that "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us who are saved it is the power of God" -1 Corinthians 1:18.

When we think of the cross as it relates to the purchase of our salvation and sanctification, Christ did it all, and we did nothing. He did it with His own Cross. The poem reads:

They borrowed a bed to lay His head

When Christ the Lord came down;

They borrowed the ass in the mountain pass

For Him to ride to town;

But the Crown that He wore

And the Cross that He bore

Were His own-

The Cross was His own.

He borrowed the bread when the crowd He fed

On the grassy mountain side;

He borrowed the dish of broken fish

With which He satisfied;

But the Crown that He wore

And the Cross that He bore

Were His own -

The Cross was His own.

He borrowed the ship in which to sit

To teach the multitude;

He borrowed a nest in which to rest,

He had never a home so crude;

But the Crown that He wore

And the Cross that He bore

Were His own -

The Cross was His own.

He borrowed a room on His way to the tomb,

The Passover Lamb to eat;

They borrowed a cave for Him a grave;

They borrowed a winding sheet;

But the Crown that He wore

And the Cross that He bore

Were His own -

The Cross was His own

- Author Unknown

Convention Highlights

Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting for the first time, Pastor Leroy R. Armstrong, Jr., who was a special guest of our out-going president Dr. Robert A. Lee during our Thursday session. He is Pastor of The House of Hope Church thohchurch, Cedar Hill, TX., Conference Director of the International Conference on Expository Preaching sponsored by E.K. Bailey Ministries and also a Field Sales Representative for Logos Bible Software.

Pastor Armstrong set our hearts ablaze as he shared many exciting features of this awesome technology. I have been a user of this software since the late 90's but it never ceases to amaze me what this personal research assistant can do.

Many of the pastors had never heard of this treasure but Pastor Armstrong changed their minds instantly and now they are users. While we realize this technology can not make one a better preacher, it can assist in preparation.

We ended the day with a challenging message from our out-going president to keep our convention strong as we meet the demands of ministry ahead.

Although unexpected, I was elected 1st Vice President of the Convention serving on the leadership team with Pastor Wayne L. Moore of Olivet Missionary Baptist Church olivetmbc of Indianapolis, Indiana, who now serves as President.

Please keep us in your prayers as we strive to do the work God has entrusted to us.

Tuesday's Test

We are in the midst of our State Convention in Kokomo, Indiana.

I had the priviledge of bringing the message last evening entitled "God At Work" taken from Philippians 1:6;2:13. The thrust of the message was to encourage the convention of churches to remain vigilant in the work of the ministry while being assured that God is at work in us. I was concerned initially with the presentation of the message seeing that I was coming off a prior moment of ministerial burnout, but, God saw us through. Members of our church showed up in record numbers so, that allowed me to approach the preaching period much more relaxed. People have a way of encouraging you regardless to what your apprehensions may be. God be praised. I appreciate the prayers of my fellow bloggers. The Lord heard you loud and clear. Thanks.

Sunday Reflections

This afternoon I had every intention of attending the Opening Musical of the 151st Annual Session of The Indiana Missionary Baptist State Convention & Its Auxiliaries Inc., but my mind and body is tired.

We are convening this week, August 3-8, with The Second Missionary Baptist Church of Kokomo, In., where, Dr. Robert A. Lee is pastor and sitting president. I am scheduled to preach during the Tuesday evening session, so, pray that I'm refreshed.

The Lord blessed us this morning during both services even though I was not completely satisfied with my sermon presentation. Some of the members could tell that I was not my normal self even though they appreciated the messages.

We shared a message from James chapter 1 verses 21-25 entitled "Responding To The Truth of God's Word." I'm pleased to report that despite my issues, the Lord added 5 souls to the church and several others renewed their commitment to Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!

I solicit your prayers as I seek the closest opportunity to relax, refresh, and rejuvenate my mind, body and soul. May I suggest the same of you, servant of God, before you run yourself down.

Loving Favor

According to an article I read online earlier today, S. Truett Cathy, an 87 year old businessman, known as a great human being, a devout Southern Baptist, a former Sunday School Teacher, and founder of Chick-fil-A, a chicken fast food chain which boasts of over 1300 stores nationwide, had his faith tested recently.

Two pre-teen girls broke into his Florida home and caused an estimated $30,000 in damage by throwing eggs, spraying fire extinguishers and flooding the kitchen.

Motivated by God's grace, and a desire to glorify Him by being a faithful steward, He opted not to prosecute them. Instead, he wanted them to learn the error of their ways by writing, "I will not vandalize other people's property" 1,000 times, and read a good book, rather than watching TV, or playing video games.

Of course, many, who learned of this story, thought Mr. Cathy was somehow too lenient and felt these girls should have been taken behind the proverbial woodshed. However, he wanted to remain true to a passage of scripture that is close to his heart. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold." -Proverbs 22:1.

This story is a classic illustration of faith in action, love on display and undeserved favor. It reminds me of the amazing grace God demonstrates to us daily. How refreshing to see people of faith live what they believe, regardless of position, power or pedigree, to the praise of His glory.

The Fern and the Bamboo

Today, I stumbled upon a short story I received during one of the most challenging times of my ministry. I'm not sure who's responsible for writing this piece, but, it encouraged me anew. The last few weeks have been rather difficult due to some church folks propensity to hold on to things that have no saving consequence. Still, I'm determined to work while waiting on God to fulfill His perfect will. Let me share it with you and see if you find use for it.

One day I decided to quit..... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality..... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me.... "Look around", He said " Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. It's brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo". He said. " In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. He said " Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. "I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you had been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both made the forest beautiful." "Your time will come," God said to me. "You will rise high!" " How high shall I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes ." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

Allow me to encourage anyone whose patience is growing thin because process is taking too long, trust God's providence, be patient, He will see you through.